Proclaiming a new future with cleaner vehicles and better transporation systems, the 5th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit 2016 organized by the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) also sounded off new players as well as the biggest deployment of e-trikes.

These activities are part of an intensified campaign to increase electric vehicle awareness and use, eventually encouraging more investments to the sector. This year’s theme is “Investing in the EV Industry Towards a Sustainable Transport and Closer Regional Economic Integration.” The conference was held last April 14 and 15 at the Meralco Multipurpose Hall in Pasig City.

The two-day conference and exhibition saw some 500 participants from national government agencies, LGUs, academic institutions and non-government organization partners.

CleanAir Transport Solutions Philippines Inc. (C.A.T.S.), a Singapore-based company is one of the major sponsors of the summit. The company utilizes EV technology from the United Kingdom and is a significant player in the alternative fuel and electric vehicle (EV) sector in the region. It joined leading local and international transport industry representatives during the fifth edition of the annual EV Summit.

C.A.T.S. operates an assembly plant and warehouse in General Trias, Cavite. The company is one of the first movers in providing clean-fuel LPG- and electric-operated public utility vehicles (PUV) as alternatives to existing PUVs in the country. Its e-trikes are 100% manufactured in the Philippines, using world leading European components.

Responding to the country’s urgent need to modernize the current fleet of mostly dilapidated, and antiquated smoke-belching jeepneys, buses and tricycles, the company’s clients are public transport cooperatives, and independent operators with government and LGU licences.

Coinciding with the summit, local electric vehicle industry player EVWealth launched the 100th unit of its electric tricycles in Mandaluyong City.

EVWealth General Manager Abet Avecilla says that it has built its 100th unit to be deployed in Mandaluyong fortifying the city’s position as The Green City.

“And this is just the beginning. There are more to come. It helps that in our business model, the daily boundary of the driver is actually his daily amortization for the ETrike. Thus, in the end, he ends up owning the ETrike. This is not possible under the current boundary system,” Avecilla pointed out.

Effectively, EVWealth now has deployed the largest single fleet of ETrikes in the country. The company boasts of a complete mass transport solution package that even includes the much-needed financing by Radiowealth Finance Corporation, which is an allied business.

Robin Hughes, C.A.T.S. Chief Executive Officer, in a statement said “global efforts to push for clean fuel LPG and EVs are considered to be the future long-term solution to public transport and environmental problems,” says. His company is one of the newest members of EVAP and will exhibit the latest C.A.T.S. units and technological advances during the summit.

“Millions of tricycles and jeepneys on the road pollute the air and it is of utmost public interest to involve public transport groups and local government units as stakeholders in the thriving EV industry,” says Hughes, adding that the promotion of EVs and alternative clean fuels significantly contributes to efforts in reducing air pollution and mitigating climate change.

The company’s portfolio includes 14, 18 and 22-seater electric jeepneys, UV Express vans, taxis, multicabs, and tricycles that are built to international standards.

Hughes also said that fundamental to the company’s business model is that it will never use local electricity from the grid. This will be achieved by generating clean electricity using solar and LPG power sources. Generators will be installed strategically where demand is needed. This power generation will be independent of the electrical grid, will never cause brownouts, nor be affected by brownouts or power shortages.

“Our charging stations for batteries of our EVs will run cleaner fuels. C.A.T.S. will never ‘Plug and Play” to charge the EV. C.A.T.S. will never be responsible for a ‘brownout, caused by an excessive demand on the electricity supply from EV’s charging from the grid” Hughes said. Charged batteries will be quickly swapped into working vehicles, resulting in more efficient operations, plus significant savings in both time and money for transport operators.

The innovative business model of clean battery-charging stations has prompted many transport groups to take an interest in C.A.T.S.’s EV portfolio, notably transport cooperatives and local government units in Mindanao, and a leading university in Negros Oriental for its campus shuttle services.

“We are pleased to be among those given the opportunity to help make the Philippines the newest EV hub in Asia,” says Hughes. The summit is expected to reinforce the partnership between various transport stakeholders and to help institutionalize best practices in modernizing the country’s transport system.

As EVWealth deployed its’ 100th unit, EVAP President Rommel Juan said that “EVWealth has an effective transport system which covers supply of the electric vehicles complete with parts and service, operations of the fleet, financing for the units and battery charging and swapping services which takes away the range anxiety among the tricycle drivers.” They also have the full support of the City government of Mandaluyong” adds Juan.

Currently, there are other ETrike operators mostly in Boracay who have been operating for almost three years already but EVWealth has so far the largest fleet in the country today.

Avecilla explains that the EVWealth ETrike program in Mandaluyong City will help improve the lives of the regular tricycle drivers because their take-home income will increase. “The regular tricycle can seat only three passengers while an EVWealth ETrike can seat six. Just do the math and you will know that operating an EVWealth ETrike is more profitable”.

“We are seeing now that commuters prefer to ride in the EVWealth ETrikes because it is new, smoke-free, more spacious and generally a more pleasurable ride. The general health of not only the driver but the passengers as well is improved because our ETrikes do not have polluting fumes. Thus, you breathe fresher air while commuting. Another plus factor is that it is also quiet, so noise pollution is eliminated as well”.

One major, critical infrastructure that EVWealth has set up is a central swapping station where the drivers go everyday to swap their batteries. Avecilla explains that they usually swap three to four times a day depending on the distance they travel. “To make it more convenient for the drivers, we also have mobile swapping stations on-wheels to make swapping more accessible to the tricycle operators on the other side of the city. In cases of emergency, for a very minimal delivery fee, we have an express delivery system where a fully charged set of battery can be delivered where needed”.

Avecilla reveals that EVWealth is now ready to scale up. “Other LGUs may now take a look at our EVWealth ETrike program to be implemented in their own communities. This will also be perfect for housing projects where ETrikes could serve as feeder transport. We hope more LGUs and housing projects would emulate Mandaluyong City and help uplift the lives of our humble tricycle drivers.”

Column of the Day

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